Harley Street in posh London is known as the residence of doctors, and this excellent Regency series follows the careers of some. At this time, doctors had to be male. If you are used to thinking of discrimination as historically against women, think again while reading A TASTE OF GOLD. Β Dr. Felix Leafley, a busy dentist, started out in Vienna, Austria. I was delighted to find a scene involving the dancing white stallions. Faivish Blattner was his name then, a respectable Jewish man learning a trade. His mentor is the father of Maisie Morgenschein. Faivish is learning to make gold fillings, but he breaks the rules of the dental college by using expensive porcelain on a man who isnβt titled. There was already a slight bias against a Jewish student. Faivish is permitted to graduate but not to use his first-class degree in Vienna. Maisieβs father arranges for the young man to pursue his training as a dentist in Calcutta, India, part of the British Empire. This breaks the two young lovers apart. Β Β Sadly, a rising tide of antisemitism makes life too hard to trade in Austria. Maisie is from a marked family, as men like Baron von List, a friend of the Kaiser, envy anyone successful who is not part of their circle. She escapes to England in the role of guardian to an orphaned young marquess, John Spencer. After five years in the countryside, they visit London. Maisie has not given up hope of finding Faivish again, but he wouldnβt recognise her new name of Lady Eleanor Spencer. Β A TASTE OF GOLD is a fascinating and detailed Regency romance, part of the Miracles on Harley Street series. The bullying tactics and general intimidation faced by the characters feel alarming. At this time, the forerunners of anarchists were spreading on the Continent, which was to result in the Great War. The upper crust in England intermarried with German nobility, taking on their attitudes, for good and bad. The author, Sara Adrienβs extensive historical research during the tale and in notes, where she explains that dentistry is a little more developed, but not much else is out of sequence. I believe that Lady Eleanorβs good name would have been lost from sitting in a covered carriage with a man who was not her relative, sans chaperone. That wasnβt mentioned. Β I would be interested to read about some of the other characters in this series, many of whom are Jewish and keeping to traditions in London. The Crown gave them custom, and their practices healed many. They found wonderful romances. Β
Her silence protects the man she loves and hides the woman she is.
Miss Maisie Morgenschein is very good at pretending everything is fine. Guardian to an orphaned marquess, she remains calm and protects a dangerous truth: nobody must know her real name—which makes it impossible for her lost love to find her, and that’s what she wants most. She still writes him letters she can’t send, not knowing where he is. A connection to her might lead the villain to him.
Dr. Felix Leafley, Harley Street’s most sought-after dentist, uses an English alias to keep his patients—and the other doctors at the practice—safe. Years ago, he was a medical student with Maisie in his arms. When circumstances tore them apart, they vowed to find each other. But passion refuses to stay polite, and secrets refuse to stay buried.
She can’t use her real name to find him. He can’t use his to be found.
The result? A duel of aliases, near-miss letters, and one dangerously perfect kiss. But just as Felix and Maisie dare to speak their names, the villain closes in—and the truth may cost them the one thing neither believed possible: a future together.
From nostalgic Vienna to elegant historical London, A TASTE OF GOLD is a steamy, heart-forward romance about second chances, found family, and the courage to claim your life. This full-length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after and no cliffhangers. It is part of a series that can be read in any order.
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